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08/11/2010
Other NI News In Brief
Cross Border Poppy Day
Paula Bradley, the DUP Mayor of Newtownabbey, heard a moving contemporary account of the death of the great grandfather of Drogheda Mayor Paul Bell in the British Army in WWI being read by local historian Sean Collins (pictured right with the civic leaders) on Saturday. It was part of a service of remembrance where she joined about 180 people as Royal British Legion Standards were unfurled alongside an Irish Tricolour while ex-British soldiers mingled with former troops from the Irish Republic's army to remember the war dead from both sides of the border at the service at the war memorial in Drogheda's Mary Street. Whiteabbey Royal British Legion representatives - who helped pioneer the event a decade ago - were among the guests who came to attention to recall the men from all over the island of Ireland who were killed or wounded in the British army during WWI. They stood as Royal British Legion Poppy wreaths were being laid side-by-side with the tricolour wreaths of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen, (ONE) and the traditional two-minute silence is observed.
Fire Escape
There was a dramatic blaze escape at the weekend as a woman in her 20s jumped from a first-floor flat window. She is seriously ill in hospital after both she and her boyfriend leapt out of the window of the flat at Bristol Park, Newtownards, at about 4.30am on Sunday in what police believe was an arson attack after a scooter was set alight in the hallway of the flats at the West Winds estate.
Hats Off To New Kit
Army combat helmets - the 'Mark 7' - that came into service earlier this year have helped to save the lives of three NI soldiers in Afghanistan. Rangers Silbert Wilson and Alan Hawthorne and Corporal Tommy Creighton were uninjured after bullets struck their helmets in Helmand Province. All three are serving with the 1st battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. Meanwhile, the Duke of York has attended a remembrance service in Belfast for members of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). Prince Andrew, who is commander in chief of the RIR, attended the ceremony in St Anne's Cathedral on Sunday. The regiment's first battalion is currently deployed in Afghanistan.
Seal Killings Slammed
There has been a call for information over the killing of seals after at least five more were reported dead in the last week alone. Although the results of post mortems are awaited it would appear that one had been shot, one had been cut with a characteristic circumferential injury and two cut with the curious corkscrew injury. Injuries like these reported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) last month have led to numerous reports of additional dead seals. The cause of death is uncertain in some cases but it is clear that some have been deliberately inflicted. Stormont Minister Edwin Poots said: "Despite warnings from NIEA in the media, there are still people who have no qualms about carrying out this inhumane practice. I would urge anyone who has information on who is behind it to come forward to the PSNI or to us."
Royal Navy 'Sinks Whales'
It has been alleged that naval activity off the Scottish coast led to the mass beaching of 35 pilot whales on a Donegal island at the weekend. It happened at the tiny Rutland Island off Burtonport yesterday and saw a pod of adult and juvenile whales washed up on Saturday was the same group being monitored in the outer Hebrides in Scotland last weekend. Stormy weather has prevented experts from Britain travelling to the remote island to carry out post mortem examinations. Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group confirmed yesterday that deep-diving pilot whales could beach because of gas embolism brought on by acoustic trauma. "Naval exercises use a low frequency active sonar which is known to affect whales very badly. We are aware that the British Navy had been in the area off Scotland last weekend, although they have not confirmed that exercises were taking place," he told the Irish Independent.
Dublin T2 To Be 'Phased In'
Airlines that are using the newly built Dublin Airport terminal T2 will begin transferring their services later this month. Travellers will then see big changes as the airport's spanking new multi-million euro passenger terminal is opened on a phased basis throughout the rest of November. The formal opening ceremony will take place on Friday, November 19th and the first official flight will arrive that day. The phased ramp-up to full operations will continue during late November and into early December as Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways and the various American carriers transfer their entire Dublin operations into T2. For a time, flag carrier, Aer Lingus will even operate from both terminals, but has said it will communicate directly with passengers regarding which terminal to use.
(BMcC/GK)
Paula Bradley, the DUP Mayor of Newtownabbey, heard a moving contemporary account of the death of the great grandfather of Drogheda Mayor Paul Bell in the British Army in WWI being read by local historian Sean Collins (pictured right with the civic leaders) on Saturday. It was part of a service of remembrance where she joined about 180 people as Royal British Legion Standards were unfurled alongside an Irish Tricolour while ex-British soldiers mingled with former troops from the Irish Republic's army to remember the war dead from both sides of the border at the service at the war memorial in Drogheda's Mary Street. Whiteabbey Royal British Legion representatives - who helped pioneer the event a decade ago - were among the guests who came to attention to recall the men from all over the island of Ireland who were killed or wounded in the British army during WWI. They stood as Royal British Legion Poppy wreaths were being laid side-by-side with the tricolour wreaths of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen, (ONE) and the traditional two-minute silence is observed.
Fire Escape
There was a dramatic blaze escape at the weekend as a woman in her 20s jumped from a first-floor flat window. She is seriously ill in hospital after both she and her boyfriend leapt out of the window of the flat at Bristol Park, Newtownards, at about 4.30am on Sunday in what police believe was an arson attack after a scooter was set alight in the hallway of the flats at the West Winds estate.
Hats Off To New Kit
Army combat helmets - the 'Mark 7' - that came into service earlier this year have helped to save the lives of three NI soldiers in Afghanistan. Rangers Silbert Wilson and Alan Hawthorne and Corporal Tommy Creighton were uninjured after bullets struck their helmets in Helmand Province. All three are serving with the 1st battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. Meanwhile, the Duke of York has attended a remembrance service in Belfast for members of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). Prince Andrew, who is commander in chief of the RIR, attended the ceremony in St Anne's Cathedral on Sunday. The regiment's first battalion is currently deployed in Afghanistan.
Seal Killings Slammed
There has been a call for information over the killing of seals after at least five more were reported dead in the last week alone. Although the results of post mortems are awaited it would appear that one had been shot, one had been cut with a characteristic circumferential injury and two cut with the curious corkscrew injury. Injuries like these reported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) last month have led to numerous reports of additional dead seals. The cause of death is uncertain in some cases but it is clear that some have been deliberately inflicted. Stormont Minister Edwin Poots said: "Despite warnings from NIEA in the media, there are still people who have no qualms about carrying out this inhumane practice. I would urge anyone who has information on who is behind it to come forward to the PSNI or to us."
Royal Navy 'Sinks Whales'
It has been alleged that naval activity off the Scottish coast led to the mass beaching of 35 pilot whales on a Donegal island at the weekend. It happened at the tiny Rutland Island off Burtonport yesterday and saw a pod of adult and juvenile whales washed up on Saturday was the same group being monitored in the outer Hebrides in Scotland last weekend. Stormy weather has prevented experts from Britain travelling to the remote island to carry out post mortem examinations. Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group confirmed yesterday that deep-diving pilot whales could beach because of gas embolism brought on by acoustic trauma. "Naval exercises use a low frequency active sonar which is known to affect whales very badly. We are aware that the British Navy had been in the area off Scotland last weekend, although they have not confirmed that exercises were taking place," he told the Irish Independent.
Dublin T2 To Be 'Phased In'
Airlines that are using the newly built Dublin Airport terminal T2 will begin transferring their services later this month. Travellers will then see big changes as the airport's spanking new multi-million euro passenger terminal is opened on a phased basis throughout the rest of November. The formal opening ceremony will take place on Friday, November 19th and the first official flight will arrive that day. The phased ramp-up to full operations will continue during late November and into early December as Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways and the various American carriers transfer their entire Dublin operations into T2. For a time, flag carrier, Aer Lingus will even operate from both terminals, but has said it will communicate directly with passengers regarding which terminal to use.
(BMcC/GK)
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20 November 2024
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
18 November 2010
Guardsman Killed In Afghanistan Named
The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has expressed his sympathy to the family of a soldier from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who has been killed in Afghanistan.
Guardsman Killed In Afghanistan Named
The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has expressed his sympathy to the family of a soldier from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who has been killed in Afghanistan.
08 March 2010
Legion Remembers Murdered Sappers
Members of the Royal British Legion, flanked by standard bearers, have laid poppy wreaths at the gates of a NI army base where two soldiers lost their lives exactly a year ago. The solemn memorial service was held yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of two soldiers shot dead by dissident republicans.
Legion Remembers Murdered Sappers
Members of the Royal British Legion, flanked by standard bearers, have laid poppy wreaths at the gates of a NI army base where two soldiers lost their lives exactly a year ago. The solemn memorial service was held yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of two soldiers shot dead by dissident republicans.
30 September 2003
DUP attacks plans to 'phase out' RIR
DUP Councillor, Sammy Wilson has attacked an alleged leaked document which says that the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to be scrapped. Mr Wilson claimed his party has seen Government documents which showed that the home service battalions will be disbanded in three phases between 2005 and 2008.
DUP attacks plans to 'phase out' RIR
DUP Councillor, Sammy Wilson has attacked an alleged leaked document which says that the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to be scrapped. Mr Wilson claimed his party has seen Government documents which showed that the home service battalions will be disbanded in three phases between 2005 and 2008.
02 November 2011
Ambassador To Join Cross Border WWI Event
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne this weekend to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
Ambassador To Join Cross Border WWI Event
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne this weekend to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
